Wanted (film)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For other uses, see Wanted.

This article or section contains information about one or more scheduled or expected films. The content may change as the film's release approaches and more information becomes available.

Wanted
Directed by	Timur Bekmambetov
Produced by	Marc Platt Jason Netter Jim Lemley
Written by	Comic Book: Mark Millar Screenplay: Derek Haas Michael Brandt Chris Morgan Dean Georgaris
Starring	James McAvoy Morgan Freeman Angelina Jolie
Distributed by	Universal Pictures
Release date(s)	March 28, 2008^[1]
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$65 million^[2]
IMDb profile

Wanted is a 2008 film adaptation of the comic book miniseries Wanted by Mark Millar. The film is directed by Timur Bekmambetov and stars James McAvoy and Morgan Freeman. Production is slated to begin in April 2007. Wanted has a target release date of March 28, 2008.

1 Premise
2 Production
3 Sequel
4 References
5 External link

[edit] Premise

Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy) is offered the opportunity to seek revenge in the murder of his father, who was a super-villainous assassin. Gibson is invited by his father's partner, Sloan (Morgan Freeman), to follow in his father's footsteps.^[3] Sloan's second-in-command (Angelina Jolie) mentors Gibson.^[4]

[edit] Production

In 2004, producer Marc Platt set up the film adaptation of the comic book miniseries Wanted by Mark Millar. In December 2005, director Timur Bekmambetov was attached to helm the project, with the script being written by Derek Haas and Michael Brandt.^[5] In February 2006, Bekmambetov said that the film would keep the same characters from the miniseries, though the director would take liberty in adapting the comic book's world.^[6] In July 2006, screenwriter Chris Morgan was hired to revise the third act of the Wanted script written by Haas and Brandt.^[7] In October 2006, actor James McAvoy was cast in the lead role as the anti-hero Wesley Gibson.^[8] The following November, actor Morgan Freeman was cast into the role of the lead assassin, Sloan, who trains Gibson.^[9]

McAvoy, who had screen-tested for the role early in 2006, was initially rejected due to the studio seeking an actor that had looks and physique. The actor was later recalled, being considered the "runt of the litter" of those who tested. According to McAvoy, "They [ultimately] wanted someone geeky." The Scottish actor, who will portray an American in the film, began training in February 2007 for the film's action scenes. Wanted will include free running and Parkour in addition to car chases and gunfights.^[10] Wanted creator Mark Millar saw previsualized footage for the film and said the footage had raised his expectations for the film adaptation.^[11]

In March 2007, actress Angelina Jolie was cast as an assassin after screenwriter Dean Georgaris rewrote the screenplay to create a role for her.^[12] Production will take place in the Czech Republic for 12 weeks of shooting^[13] in May^[12] and will move to Chicago afterward.^[10] The film will be the first to use the Red One digital camera, a new tool that has gained interest among cinematographers.^[14]

[edit] Sequel

Director Timur Bekmambetov is planning a sequel to Wanted with the studio, though creator Mark Millar has denied that he will write a sequel to the comic book.^[15]